Kingwood Park High School senior Maria Ines Maldonado achieved a remarkable engineering milestone by designing, building and launching a rocket that reached Mach 1.35, more than 1.3 times the speed of sound.
Working independently as a team of one, Maldonado successfully completed the project after progressing through Kingwood Park High School's aerospace engineering pathway. Her coursework included Aeroscience I, OnRamps Physics, Aeroscience II and service as an Aeroscience aide, providing her with the technical knowledge and hands-on experience needed to accomplish the feat.
In recognition of her achievement, Maldonado received the Kingwood Park High School Aeroscience Award of Distinction.
Following graduation, Maldonado will attend the United States Air Force Preparatory School in Colorado. Upon successful completion of the program, she will earn automatic admission to the United States Air Force Academy.
Maldonado was recognized alongside aerospace engineering teacher Glenn Taylor, Principal Wes Solomon, Career and Technical Education Coordinator Kimberly Young and Assistant Principal Dr. Donna Papadimitriou.